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Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the expression of hepatic genes associated with biotransformation, antioxidant, and immune systems in broiler chicks fed aflatoxin

L. P. Yarru^*, R. S. Settivari^*, N. K. S. Gowda, E. Antoniou^*,1, D. R. Ledoux^*,2 and G. E. Rottinghaus

^* Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211; National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bangalore 560030, India; and Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211

² Corresponding author: LedouxD{at}missouri.edu

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin, an antioxidant found in turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder (TMP), to ameliorate changes in gene expression in the livers of broiler chicks fed aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁). Four pen replicates of 5 chicks each were assigned to each of 4 dietary treatments, which included the following: A) basal diet containing no AFB₁ or TMP (control), B) basal diet supplemented with TMP (0.5%) that supplied 74 mg/kg of curcumin, C) basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mg of AFB₁/kg of diet, and D) basal diet supplemented with TMP that supplied 74 mg/kg of curcumin and 1.0 mg of AFB₁/kg of diet. Aflatoxin reduced (P < 0.05) feed intake and BW gain and increased (P < 0.05) relative liver weight. Addition of TMP to the AFB₁ diet ameliorated (P < 0.05) the negative effects of AFB₁ on growth performance and liver weight. At the end of the 3-wk treatment period, livers were collected (6 per treatment) to evaluate changes in the expression of genes involved in antioxidant function [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST)], biotransformation [epoxide hydrolase (EH), cytochrome P450 1A1 and 2H1 (CYP1A1 and CYP2H1)], and the immune system [interleukins 6 and 2 (IL-6 and IL-2)]. Changes in gene expression were determined using the quantitative real-time PCR technique. There was no statistical difference in gene expression among the 4 treatment groups for CAT and IL-2 genes. Decreased expression of SOD, GST, and EH genes due to AFB₁ was alleviated by inclusion of TMP in the diet. Increased expression of IL-6, CYP1A1 and CYP2H1 genes due to AFB₁ was also alleviated by TMP. The current study demonstrates partial protective effects of TMP on changes in expression of antioxidant, biotransformation, and immune system genes in livers of chicks fed AFB₁. Practical application of the research is supplementation of TMP in diets to prevent or reduce the effects of aflatoxin in chicks fed aflatoxin-contaminated diets.

Key Words: aflatoxin B₁ • turmeric • gene expression • broiler • liver

¹ Current address: The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.